Multiple Nozzle Connection of a Textile Machine, and Textile Machine

ABSTRACT

A multiple nozzle connection that is connectable to a central suction duct of a textile machine includes a connecting piece configured to connect to a compaction device of the textile machine or to a suction tube device that is in communication with the central suction duct. The connecting piece includes three connections, wherein at least one of the connections is closable by one of the connected compaction device or the connected suction tube device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a multiple nozzle connection of a suction lineof a textile machine, and a textile machine that is equipped with same.

BACKGROUND

Numerous designs are already known in practice, wherein for compactingof the fiber material (fiber strand) discharged by a drafting unit, acompaction device is situated downstream. Following such a compactiondevice, the compacted fiber material, after passing through a nip point,is fed to a twist generator. Such a twist generator in a ring spinningmachine, for example, is composed of a traveler which revolves on aring, and the yarn produced is wound onto a rotating bobbin. Suctionedrevolving devices, such as, perforated suction drums or revolving apronsprovided with perforations, are essentially used as compaction devices.A specialized suction area on the compaction element is thus defined byusing appropriate inserts inside the suction drum or inside therevolving apron. These types of inserts may be provided, for example,with appropriately shaped suction slits to which a negative pressure isapplied, thus generating a corresponding air flow at the periphery ofthe particular compaction element. In particular, protruding fibers areincorporated as a result of this air flow, which is oriented essentiallytransversely with respect to the direction of transport.

In the known approaches, the fiber material delivered by the draftingunit is guided above or also below the compaction devices. Inparticular, for use on a ring spinning machine, it is necessary toprovide an additional nip point downstream from the suction zone inorder to prevent twist.

These types of devices have been illustrated and described in thepublications EP 947614 B1, DE 102005010903 A1, DE 19846268 C2, EP1612309 B1, DE 10018480 A1, or CN 1712588 A, for example. These citedpublications essentially involve compaction units which are installedfollowing the particular drafting system. The drive of these compactionunits is sometimes achieved via specialized drive shafts which aresituated over the length of the spinning machine and which are in driveconnection with either a suction roller or a revolving apron, or via afixedly installed drive connection to appropriately situated pressurerollers of the compaction device.

In practice, it is necessary to retrofit existing spinning machines witha conventional drafting unit having such a compaction device in order toalso ensure the possibility of producing high-quality yarns. Therefore,devices have been proposed by means of which conventional draftingsystems may be retrofitted with such a compaction device. One suchexample is found in DE 10227463 C1, for example, in which the punch ofthe drafting unit is extended in order to support an additional driveroller. The drive roller, which extends over the entire length of thespinning machine, is provided for the drive of the retrofittedcompaction device. The mounting and installation of such a retrofit unitis very time-consuming and inflexible. That is, a desired dismantling toa standard drafting system without a compaction device is in turn verytime-consuming.

Published DE 10050089 A1 discloses an embodiment having a compactiondevice that is provided for retrofitting on a conventional draftingunit.

A device is known from CN 2 851 298 Y in which a compaction rollertogether with a rotational blocking roller are accommodated in a bearingelement which is connected by means of a plate to a pivotable loadingarm of a drafting system device via screws. In the installed and lockedposition, the drive is transmitted via friction from a delivery rollerconnected directly to a drive and its associated pressure roller to thecompaction roller and the rotational blocking roller. The compactiondevice disclosed here is likewise provided for retrofitting on existingdrafting units of spinning machines without compaction. The mounting ofthe compaction unit disclosed here on an existing drafting unit via ascrew connection, as well as the threading for the axle of the pressureroller, is relatively time-consuming, and requires additional adjustmentof the distances. Likewise, the connection to a negative pressure sourcemust also be established separately.

In the designs described above, the suction elements associated with adefined compaction area for compressing the fiber material are acted onby negative pressure via additionally mounted lines that are connectedto a negative pressure source.

In order to simplify such compaction devices by making it possible toeasily and quickly install conventional drafting units without having toinstall additional drive elements, WO 2012068692 A1 proposes a design inwhich the compaction element in the form of a suction drum and the niproller are rotationally supported on a carrier element. The carrierelement is removably fastened to the spinning machine via fasteningmeans. To establish a drive connection between the drafting systemrollers and the removably mounted compaction device, the compactiondevice is swiveled about a swivel axis in the direction of the pair ofdelivery rollers of the drafting system via the carrier element, whereinin each case a friction wheel that is coaxially fastened to theparticular suction drum is frictionally connected (via friction) to thebottom roller of the pair of delivery rollers of the drafting system.The compaction device is held in this drive connection via appropriatelyarranged spring elements (for example, on the loading arm of thedrafting system). For a more flexible design for the drive of thecompaction device, WO 2012068692 A1 further proposes to provide a secondgearing stage between the drive element of the compaction element of thefirst gearing stage and the compaction element.

However, a disadvantage of this embodiment is that converting thetextile machine from a compaction device to conventional thread suctionis relatively cost- and time-intensive.

SUMMARY

An object of the invention is to simplify and improve the compactiondevices for two adjacently situated drafting units, known from WO2012068692 A1, in order to easily convert from a compaction device toconventional thread suction. Additional objects and advantages of theinvention will be set forth in part in the following description, or maybe obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice ofthe invention.

In particular, the objects are achieved by a multiple nozzle connectionof a textile machine, in particular a ring spinning machine, comprisinga connecting piece for the alternative connection of a compaction deviceor a suction tube device to a suction line of the textile machine, theconnecting piece having three connections, and at least one connectionbeing closed by means of a connected compaction device or a suction tubedevice.

The connecting piece may advantageously have three adjacently situatedconnections, wherein the compaction device is connectable to the middleconnection with the lateral connections closed, and wherein a suctiontube device is connectable to the lateral connections with the middleconnection closed.

This embodiment is advantageous due to the fact that the machine may beeasily converted. In addition, between the connecting piece and thecompaction device or the suction device a spacer and a seal mayadvantageously be present which allow the compaction device or thesuction device to be oriented and sealed.

The compaction device and the suction tube device are detachably held bya holder of the multiple nozzle connection so as to be pivotable aboutan axis. The holder may be made up of two spaced-apart elements, thecompaction device having two lateral elevations and the suction tubedevice having a circular connecting element for connection to thespaced-apart retaining elements. This may be a clip connection. Due totwo detent lugs that are connected to openings in the retainingelements, the suction device may assume two positions, in an upperposition the suction tubes being oriented at a right angle to thesuction duct or in alignment with the multiple nozzle connection, and ina lower position the suction tubes being downwardly inclined compared tothe upper position. The retaining elements may advantageously befastened to a retaining profile of the textile machine.

The objects are further achieved by a textile machine, which inparticular is a ring spinning machine, characterized in that it has amultiple nozzle connection according to the invention.

A compaction device is connectable to the multiple nozzle connection andadvantageously has the following features:

-   -   two suction drums, wherein in each case a suction drum may be        associated with a delivery roller pair of a drafting unit of the        textile machine, the delivery roller pair being made up of a        bottom delivery roller pair and a top delivery roller;    -   wherein the suction drums are rotatably supported on a shaft        that is fastened to a carrier element via a bearing;    -   wherein a suction duct extends within the carrier element,    -   wherein the suction drums each have a drive element which in the        operating position forms a drive connection with the bottom        delivery roller pair, and    -   wherein on the carrier element, two nip rollers are centrally,        rotatably supported on a shared axis in a bearing; for forming a        nip line, each of the nip rollers rests on the outer        circumference of one of the two suction drums under the action        of spring loading,    -   wherein in each case a suction drum is associated with the        delivery roller pair of a drafting unit,    -   wherein on the carrier element, two nip rollers are centrally,        rotatably supported on a shared axis, and    -   wherein for forming a nip line, each of the nip rollers rests on        the outer circumference of one of the two suction drums under        the action of spring loading.

Advantageously, alternatively a suction device is connectable to themultiple nozzle connection and includes the following features: twospaced-apart suction tubes that are connected to one another via atleast one connecting element; and a central plate with which a middleconnection of the connecting piece is closable. The compaction deviceand the suction tube device are advantageously also detachably held bythe holder of the multiple nozzle connection so as to be pivotable aboutan axis, the holder being made up of two spaced-apart elements and beingfastenable to a retaining profile, wherein the suction tube device mayassume two different positions.

The invention further relates to a method for detachably fastening thecompaction device or the suction tube device to the multiple nozzleconnection of a ring spinning machine.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from oneexemplary embodiment, which is described and illustrated below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is explained in greater detail based on the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a spinning station of a ringspinning machine;

FIG. 2 shows a multiple nozzle connection according to the inventionwith a connected suction tube device;

FIG. 3 shows a multiple nozzle connection according to the inventionwith a connected compaction device; and

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the multiple nozzle connection with aconnected suction device according to the line A-A in FIG. 2.

Only those features that are essential to the invention are illustrated.Identical features are denoted by the same reference numerals in thevarious figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, one or moreexamples of which are shown in the drawings. Each embodiment is providedby way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation of theinvention. For example features illustrated or described as part of oneembodiment can be combined with another embodiment to yield stillanother embodiment. It is intended that the present invention includethese and other modifications and variations to the embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a spinning station 1 of a spinningmachine (ring spinning machine), having a drafting unit 2 which isprovided with a pair of feed rollers 3, 4, a pair of middle rollers 5,6, and a pair of delivery rollers 7, 8. An apron 12, 13 is guided aroundthe middle rollers 5, 6, respectively, each of which is held in itsillustrated position around a cage, not shown in greater detail. Theupper rollers 4, 6, 8 of the mentioned roller pairs are designed aspressure rollers which are rotatably supported on a pivotably supportedpressure arm 10 via the axles 4 a, 6 a, 8 a, respectively. Two adjacentdrafting units 2 (twin drafting system) are associated with a pressurearm 10. The pressure arm 10 is supported so as to be pivotable about anaxle 15, and, as schematically illustrated, is acted on by a springelement 9. This spring element may also be an air hose, for example. Therollers 4, 6, 8 are pressed against the bottom rollers 3, 5, and 7,respectively, of the roller pairs via the schematically shown springloading. The roller pairs 3, 5, 7 are connected via a drive A, notshown. Individual drives as well as other forms of drives (gearwheels,toothed belts, etc.) may be used. The pressure rollers 4, 6, 8 aredriven via the driven bottom rollers 3, 5, 7, respectively, and theapron 13 is driven via the apron 12, by friction. The peripheral speedof the driven roller 5 is slightly greater than the peripheral speed ofthe driven roller 3, so that the fiber material 11 in the form of asliver fed to the drafting unit 2 is subjected to a break draft betweenthe pair of feed rollers 3, 4 and the pair of middle rollers 5, 6. Themain draft of the fiber material 11 results between the middle rollerpair 5, 6 and the pair of delivery rollers 7, 8, the delivery roller 7having a significantly higher peripheral speed than the middle roller 5.

The drafted fiber material 11 delivered by the particular pair ofdelivery rollers 7, 8 is deflected downwardly and passes into the areaof a suction zone 16 of a subsequent suction drum 17, which is part ofthe compaction device 46 b according to the invention. The particularsuction drum 17 is provided with perforations or openings extending onits periphery. Following the suction zone 16, for each of the suctiondrums 17, a nip roller 18 is provided which rests on the respectivesuction drum 17 via a pressure load and which with this suction drumforms a nip line. The particular nip roller 18 is rotatably supported onan axle 19 which is held in a guide slot 20 of a U-shaped receptacle ina pressure arm 21. The axle 19 is displaceably supported within theguide slot 20, transversely with respect to its longitudinal axis. Atappet that rests on the outer circumference of the axle 19 and is actedon by a schematically indicated compression spring 22 protrudes into theguide slot 20 through an opening in the pressure arm 21. The opening isprovided approximately centrally at the end of the guide slot 20, andopens into an essentially closed cavity in the pressure arm 21 in whichthe compression spring 22 is situated. The compression spring issupported on the closed end of the cavity, and with its opposite endrests on a head of the tappet.

The pressure arm 21 is supported so as to be pivotable about an axis ina bearing element that is mounted on the end of the pressure arm. Inthis pivot position, the axes are held at the end of particular guidevia a stop edge, schematically shown in FIG. 1, transverse to theirswivel axis. The nip rollers 18 rotatably supported on the pressure arm21 are then loaded against the particular suction drum 17 via the forceof the compression spring 22, thus forming the nip line. The pressurearm 21 is pivoted past top dead center until it rests on a stop. In thisposition, the axle 19 of the nip rollers 18 is situated below the planethat extends through the swivel axis and the center axis of the suctiondrums 17; i.e., the nip roller 18 is held in this position past top deadcenter. Further details with regard to the mounting and design of thenip rollers 18 may be found in CH 705308.

The pressure lever 10 is subsequently pivoted about its swivel axis 15from an upper position, indicated by dashed lines, into a lower positionin which a pressure force is exerted on the compaction device 46 b inthe direction of the roller 7 via a leaf spring 24, fastened to thepressure lever 10 by means of screws 23, and the web 25 that is fastenedto the leaf spring. The suction drum 17 thus connected is driven by theroller 7 by means of friction via a drive element 40, described below.

In this “operating position,” the warped fiber material 11 that isdelivered by the drafting system 2 is supplied to the subsequent suctionzone 16 of the particular suction drum 17, and compacted in a knownmanner under the influence of the generated suction air flow. Adeflection shield situated at a distance, as illustrated and describedin DE 4426249, for example, may be mounted above the suction zone 16.The cited publication also describes the process for compacting thefiber material.

For generating the required negative pressure in the area of the suctionzone 16, a negative pressure source 26 is provided which is connected toa central suction duct 27. The suction duct 27 is connected via a line28 and a flexible multiple nozzle connection 29 to the respective end ofthe suction duct 31 of the compaction device 46 b that protrudes in thedirection of the suction duct 27. The pivotability of the compactiondevice 46 b about an axis is facilitated by the flexibility of themultiple nozzle connection 29. For this purpose, the compaction device46 b has two lateral elevations 30 that engage with a holder, explainedwith reference to FIG. 2. The schematically shown multiple nozzleconnection 29 may be designed in such a way that when two half-shellsare joined together, the coupling element is connected in a form-fitmanner to a formed suction duct 31, with tight sealing with respect tothe outside. The design and composition of the half-shells in such acarrier element are known from WO 2012/068692 A1. The spinning machinemay be advantageously retrofitted with the compaction device 46 b. Thedesign, operating principle, and advantages of the multiple nozzleconnection 29 according to the invention are explained in greater detailwith reference to FIG. 2.

At the same time, the nip line created by the nip roller 18 forms aso-called “rotational blocking gap” from which the fiber material 11, inthe form of a compressed yarn 32, is fed in the conveying direction to aschematically shown ring spinning device. The ring spinning device isprovided with a ring 33 and a traveler 34, the yarn being wound onto abobbin 35 to form a spool 36 (cop). A thread guide 37 is situatedbetween the nip line and the traveler 34. The ring 33 is fastened to aring frame 38 that undergoes an up-and-down motion during the spinningprocess.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the multiple nozzle connection 29 according to theinvention. The multiple nozzle connection is used for the alternativeconnection of a compaction device 46 b, as explained in FIG. 1 inconjunction with a ring spinning machine, or for connection of a suctiontube device 46 a to the suction duct 27 of the ring spinning machine.

FIG. 2 shows the multiple nozzle connection 29 according to theinvention, with a suction tube device 46 a that is connected to thesuction duct 27 of the ring spinning machine. The suction device 46 a ismade up of two adjacently situated suction tubes 47 that are connectedvia a central, circular connecting element 50. A second connectionbetween two suction tubes 47 is situated on the front end of the suctiontube device 46 a. The universal multiple nozzle connection 29 has aconnecting piece 42 with three adjacently situated connections 43 thatare used depending on the device that is connected. An adapter or spacer44, which may be joined to the connections 43 of the connecting piece42, and a seal 45 are situated between the connections 43 and thecompaction device or the suction tube device 46 a. The compaction device46 b is connectable to the middle connection 43, the lateral connections43 being closed. A suction tube device 46 a is connectable to thelateral connections 43, the middle connection 43 then being closed by aplate 48.

The compaction device 46 b (FIGS. 1, 3) and the suction tube device 46 a(FIG. 2) are detachably held by a holder of the multiple nozzleconnection 29. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the holder is made upof two spaced-apart retaining elements 49. The suction tube device 46 awith the circular connecting element 50 engages with the spaced-apartretaining elements 49, resulting in a detachable connection, for examplea clip connection. The retaining elements 49 are fastened to a retainingprofile 51 of the textile machine, and at the same time secure theadapter or spacer 44.

FIG. 3 shows the multiple nozzle connection 29 according to theinvention with a connected compaction device 46 b, as explained withreference to FIG. 1 in conjunction with a ring spinning machine. Theuniversal multiple nozzle connection 29 corresponds to the design fromFIG. 2, and has the three connecting pieces 42 with the three adjacentlysituated connections 43. Situated between the connections 43 and thecompaction device or the suction tube device 46 a is an adapter orspacer 44, which may be joined to the connections 43 of the connectingpiece 42, and a seal 45. For fastening purposes, the compaction device46 b has two lateral elevations 30 that engage with the two elements 49of the holder. The compaction device 46 b is connectable to the middleconnection 43, the lateral connections 43 then being closed by plates48.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section A-A of the multiple nozzle connection 29with the connected suction device according to FIG. 2. The compactiondevice 46 b and the suction tube device 46 a are pivotable around thementioned axis, and may thus be detachably fastened to the connectingpiece 42 via a rotary or tilting movement. The suction device 46 a mayassume two positions via two detent lugs 52, in an upper position thesuction tubes 47 being oriented at a right angle to the suction duct orin alignment with the multiple nozzle connection, and in a lowerposition the suction tubes 47 being slightly downwardly inclined (notillustrated) compared to the upper position.

The embodiment according to the invention is advantageous due to thefact that the machine may be easily converted. The invention furtherrelates to a method for detachably fastening the compaction device 46 bor the suction tube device 46 a to the multiple nozzle connection 29 ofa textile machine, in particular a ring spinning machine.

Modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments illustratedor described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 spinning station-   2 drafting unit-   3 bottom feed roller-   4 top feed roller-   4 a axle-   5 bottom middle roller-   6 top middle roller-   6 a axle-   7 bottom delivery roller-   7 a axle-   8 top delivery roller-   8 a axle-   9 spring element-   10 pressure arm-   11 fiber sliver-   12 apron-   13 apron-   14 suction zone-   15 axle-   16 suction zone-   17 suction drum-   18 nip roller-   19 axle of the nip rollers 18-   20 guide slot/bearing-   21 pressure arm-   22 compression spring-   23 screws-   24 leaf spring-   25 web-   26 negative pressure source-   27 suction duct-   28 line-   29 coupling element-   30 elevation-   31 suction duct-   32 yarn-   33 ring-   34 ring traveler-   35 cop-   36 bobbin-   37 thread guide-   38 ring frame-   39 openings-   40 friction wheel, drive wheel-   41 carrier element-   42 connecting piece-   43 connection-   44 spacer-   45 seal-   46 a suction tube device-   46 b compaction device-   47 suction tube-   48 plate-   49 retaining element-   50 circular connecting element-   51 retaining profile-   52 detent lugs

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A multiple nozzle connection that is connectable toa central suction duct of a textile machine, comprising: a connectingpiece configured to connect to a compaction device of the textilemachine or to a suction tube device that is in communication with thecentral suction duct; and wherein the connecting piece comprises threeconnections, wherein at least one of the connections being closable byone of the connected compaction device or the connected suction tubedevice.
 17. The multiple nozzle connection according to claim 16,wherein the three connections are adjacently situated and define amiddle connection and opposite lateral connections, wherein thecompaction device is connectable to the middle connection when thelateral connections are closed, and wherein the suction tube devicecomprises two suction tubes that are connectable to the lateralconnections when the middle connection is closed.
 18. The multiplenozzle connection according to claims 17, wherein the suction tubedevice assumes two different positions, wherein in a first position thesuction tubes are oriented in alignment with the multiple nozzleconnection, and in a second position the suction tubes are downwardlyinclined compared to the upper position.
 19. The multiple nozzleconnection according to claim 16, further comprising a spacer and a sealbetween the connections and the compaction device or the suction device.20. The multiple nozzle connection according to claim 16, furthercomprising a holder configured to detachably attach to the compactiondevice and the suction tube device, the holder comprising twospaced-apart holding elements that detachably engage with lateralelevations on the compaction device and a central connecting element onthe suction tube device.
 21. The multiple nozzle connection according toclaim 20, wherein the holding elements are attachable to a retainingprofile on the textile machine.
 22. A textile machine, comprising: acompaction device; a central suction duct; a suction tube device havingat least one suction tube connected to the central suction duct; amultiple nozzle connection that further comprises: a connecting piececonnected to the compaction device or to the suction tube device; andwherein the connecting piece comprises three connections, wherein atleast one of the connections being closable by one of the connectedcompaction device or the connected suction tube device.
 23. The textilemachine according to claim 22, wherein the three connections areadjacently situated and define a middle connection and opposite lateralconnections, wherein the compaction device is connectable to the middleconnection when the lateral connections are closed, and wherein thesuction tube device comprises two suction tubes that are connectable tothe lateral connections when the middle connection is closed.
 24. Thetextile machine according to claim 22, wherein the compaction devicecomprises: two suction drums, each suction drum configured with adelivery roller pair of a drafting unit, the delivery roller paircomprising a bottom delivery roller and a top delivery roller; eachsuction drum rotatably supported via a bearing on a shaft that isfastened to a carrier element; a suction duct extending within thecarrier element; each suction drum comprising a drive element in driveconnection with the bottom delivery roller of the delivery roller pairassociated with the suction drum; and two nip rollers rotatablysupported on the carrier element centrally in a bearing on a sharedaxle, wherein for forming a nip line, each of the nip rollers rests onan outer circumference of one of the two suction drums under action of aspring load.
 25. The textile machine according to claim 23, wherein thesuction tube device comprises two to the suction tubes spaced-apart andconnected to one another via a connecting element, and a central plateby which the middle connection of the connecting piece is closable. 26.The textile machine according to claim 22, wherein the compaction deviceand the suction tube device are detachably held on the multiple nozzleconnection by holding elements of a holder.
 27. The textile machineaccording to claim 26, wherein the compaction device and the suctiontube device are detachably held by the holder, the compaction devicehaving lateral elevations and the suction tube device having a centralconnecting element for connection to the spaced-apart holding elements.28. The textile machine according to claim 27, wherein the compactiondevice and the suction tube device are detachably held by the holder soas to be pivotable about an axis, the holding elements fastenable to aretaining profile, and wherein the suction tube device assumes twodifferent positions.
 29. The textile machine according to claim 22,comprising a spacer and a seal situated between the compaction device orthe suction tube device and the connecting piece.
 30. A method foroperating a textile machine of claim 22, comprising fastening thecompaction device or the suction tube device to the multiple nozzleconnection.